Transition to Digital Television (DTV)
On February 11, 2009, President Obama signed the DTV Delay Act into law. The Act postpones the conclusion of the digital television transition to June 12, 2009, and gives U.S. households additional time to prepare for this historic switch.
Digital television, known as DTV, is an innovative type of broadcasting technology that provides crystal-clear pictures and sound, and more programming choices than ever before.
The change legislation does add a couple interesting wrinkles to the transition. Because the broadcasters have been planning this change for several years, many will be ready to power their analog transmitters down prior to June 12. The DTV Delay Act does allow broadcasters to voluntarily discontinue their analog signal before June 12. However, the stations are required to provide 30 days notice before completing the transition and ending analog broadcasts.
This legislation does not change the operation of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program at this time. The DTV Delay Act will allow the Coupon Program, upon request, to offer replacement coupons for those which have expired without being redeemed. However, this program change will not take effect until completion of a rule-making process and system changes. For this reason, the Coupon Program cannot accept requests to replace lost, stolen or expired coupons at this time.
For more information on the DTV transition, please visit www.dtv2009.gov or www.dtvanswers.com or call 888-DTV-2009.